Like any other family the Royal Family have their fair share of Christmas traditions that must be followed strictly every year so that they have the most magical festive day possible.

For the Royal Family there are three strict rules in particular when they all sit down to open their Christmas presents on Christmas Eve.

Opening presents on Christmas Eve may seem like an alien concept to some people but not for the Royal Family - this tradition dates back decades and involves the exchange of 'gag' gifts the day before Christmas.

We all find it hard to buy for family members, but 'gag' gifts are probably the only option for the royals - because what do you get the family that literally has everything?

The Queen has three important rules for Christmas Eve (Image: Sky News via Getty Images)

Even though the gifts may be light hearted, like any royal tradition, there are strict procedures and rules that must be followed - at the Queen's order.

At exactly 6pm on Christmas Eve, and not a moment before, the Royal Family sit down to open their presents in the red drawing room at Sandringham.

That afternoon, the family members have to try and creep down and place their gifts without being spotted, The Mirror reports.

In the room trestle tables are laid out and sections marked off with tables to show where each family member’s presents should be.

The gifts have to be sneaked into the room on Christmas Eve, image: Windsor Castle 2017 (Image: Getty Images)

The rules are:

No-one should open their present until given permission by Prince Philip, who supervises the proceedings

Every present should be a cheap “joke gift”

The cheaper the better

Among memorable Christmas presents down the years are an ‘Ain’t life a bitch’ bath hat given to the Queen by Harry, a grow-your-own-girlfriend kit given to Harry by Kate (before he began dating Meghan Markle), and a white leather toilet seat given by Princess Anne to Prince Charles, although he actually liked it so much he now takes it with him on overseas tours.

Some of the gifts Harry has given to The Queen are very memorable (Image: PA)

Princess Diana once fell foul of the family 'cheap and cheerful' motto when on her first Christmas at Sandringham as a newly-wed in 1981 she bought everyone cashmere sweaters and mohair scarves to general amusement.

Princess Anne, in return, handed over a loo-roll holder.

But the next year Princess Diana cracked it when she gave Fergie a leopard-print bath mat.

The Royal Family has some other quirky Christmas traditions, including gifting over 1,500 Christmas puddings to palace staff and dressing up in black tie for an intimate family dinner.